Average rent in Barnsley
The average private rent in Barnsley was £697 a month in September 2026, +7.2% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £631, 51% below the UK average of £1,287 and 18% below the average for Yorkshire and The Humber. It is the 5th cheapest of 15 areas in Yorkshire and The Humber. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+7.4%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Barnsley
Two common tests: rent at no more than 30% of gross income, and the letting-agent referencing check of an annual income at least 30× the monthly rent.
| Home | Rent (pcm) | Salary for 30% rule | Agent check (30× rent) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | £507 | £20,280 | £15,210 |
| 2 bedrooms | £631 | £25,240 | £18,930 |
Renting vs buying in Barnsley
How rents in Barnsley have changed
Average rent is +53.5% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £697 | £631 |
| 2025 | £650 | £588 |
| 2024 | £616 | £555 |
| 2023 | £563 | £506 |
| 2022 | £534 | £481 |
| 2021 | £503 | £454 |
| 2020 | £490 | £443 |
| 2019 | £481 | £435 |
| 2018 | £470 | £425 |
| 2017 | £462 | £418 |
| 2016 | £454 | £412 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darlington | North East | £497 | £631 | £769 | +6.2% |
| 2 | Northumberland | North East | £496 | £631 | £768 | +7.0% |
| 3 | Middlesbrough | North East | £498 | £634 | £754 | +3.9% |
| 4 | Scottish Borders | Scotland | £479 | £635 | £829 | -0.4% |
| 5 | Pendle | North West | £499 | £636 | £743 | +6.4% |
| 6 | Neath Port Talbot | Wales | £501 | £636 | £728 | +6.3% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Barnsley?
The average private rent in Barnsley was £697 a month in September 2026, up 7.2% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £507 and a two-bedroom £631 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Barnsley?
To keep a £507 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £20,280 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £15,210.
Is Barnsley expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Barnsley costs £631 a month, 51% below the UK average of £1,287.
All areas in Yorkshire and The Humber →
Rents: ONS Price Index of Private Rents (September 2026), average of new and existing private tenancies — official statistics in development. House prices: HM Land Registry UK House Price Index. Pay: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, median gross pay of full-time employees by place of residence. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. See our methodology.